Carrying case for a personal assistant device

ABSTRACT

A carrying case for a personal assistant device includes a receptacle for removably receiving the personal assistant device preferably through an openable flap portion thereof. The receptacle includes a transparent portion which can serve as a location for displaying an ID badge or as an area through which the personal assistant device is accessed. In the latter case, the flap portion can include a transparent receptacle portion to receive the ID badge. Additionally, the flap portion is formed with part of an attaching device to connect to a counter part attaching device on the receptacle. A neck strap is connected to the receptacle for retaining the receptacle around the neck of a user. A clip is provided on the receptacle to permit attachment to the wearer&#39;s clothing. A retainer is provided for removably retaining a stylus of the personal assistant device. Further, the case includes an opening to permit wireless transmission therethrough.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention generally relates to carrying cases and, more particularly, to a compact, lightweight wearable carrying case for a personal assistant device allowing the same to be worn around the neck and having a transparent portion with the ability for retaining an ID badge or the like. The case permits access to all of the functions of the personal assistant device without the need to remove the personal assistant device therefrom.

[0003] 2. Related Art

[0004] A number of various carrying cases have been provided in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 6,123,240, for example shows a case for a pager with various compartments one of which is to shield against electromagnetic waves. U.S. Pat. No. 6,167,413 shows a wearable computer apparatus. Des. Nos. 416,132, 435,963, 435,722, 427,429 show a case for a cell phone. Des. 367,167 shows a pager case. Des. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,511,702 all are illustrative of such prior art. While these units show variations in the art, there exists a need for a case suitable for a personal assistant device.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0005] It is an object of the present invention is to provide a carrying case for a personal assistant device.

[0006] A further object of the present invention is to provide a carrying case for a personal assistant device which is wearable.

[0007] A yet further object of the present invention is to provide a carrying case for a personal assistant device which attaches to clothing.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a carrying case for a personal assistant device which includes a transparent portion which can be used to display an ID badge.

[0009] A further object permits for wireless transmission through a personal assistant device case.

[0010] Another object provides a carrying case for a personal assistant device which includes a retainer for a stylus,

[0011] Additional objects of the present invention will become apparent from the description herein.

[0012] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a carrying case for a personal assistant device. The carrying case for a personal assistant device includes a receptacle for removably receiving the personal assistant device preferably through an openable flap portion thereof. The receptacle includes a transparent portion which can serve as a location for displaying an ID badge or as an area through which the personal assistant device is accessed. In the latter case, the flap portion can include a transparent receptacle portion to receive the ID badge. Additionally, the flap portion is formed with part of an attaching device to connect to a counter part attaching device on the receptacle. A neck strap is connected to the receptacle for retaining the receptacle around the neck of a user. A clip is provided on the receptacle to permit attachment to the wearer's clothing. A retainer is provided for removably retaining a stylus of the personal assistant device.

[0013] To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims. Other objects and advantages will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon viewing the drawings and reading the detailed description hereafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the carrying case for a personal assistant device of the present invention being worn around the neck of a user,

[0015]FIG. 2 is a front view of an embodiment of the invention.

[0016]FIG. 3 is a back view of the embodiment in FIG. 2 of the invention.

[0017]FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the embodiment in FIG. 2 of the invention.

[0018]FIG. 5 is a front view of another embodiment of the invention.

[0019]FIG. 6 is a back view of the embodiment in FIG. 5 of the invention.

[0020]FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the embodiment in FIG. 5 of the invention.

[0021]FIG. 8 is a front view of yet another embodiment of the invention.

[0022]FIG. 9 is a side view of the embodiment in FIG. 8 of the invention.

[0023]FIG. 10 is an end view of the embodiment in FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0024] Referring now to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the Figures illustrate the carrying case 10, 10′, 10″ for receiving a personal assistant device 12 (also known as a personal digital assistant—PDA) of the present invention. With regard to the reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the various drawing figures.

[0025]FIG. 1 generally depicts the carrying case 10 worn on an individual. FIGS. 2-4 depict an embodiment of the invention while FIGS. 5-7 and FIGS. 8-10 depict other embodiments of the invention. The carrying case 10 includes a receptacle 14 for retaining the personal assistant device 12 therein and a neck strap 16 detachably connected to the receptacle 14. The receptacle 14 can be made of nylon, leather, cloth plastic or other material suitable to carry out the invention. The neck strap 16 can be made of nylon, leather, cloth plastic or other suitable material and should be of a length able to reach comfortably around the neck of the wearer. The receptacle 14 includes a clip 18 for enabling attachment to the clothing of the wearer and thus securing the position of the receptacle 14 in a comfortable position on the wearer. The front face 20 of the receptacle 14 is formed with a transparent portion 22 which in this embodiment is can be used to view an ID badge 23 or the like. The transparent portion 22 can be formed from a single ply or double ply transparent material, e.g., plastic which includes a slot to receive the ID badge. Optionally, this transparent window 22 can serve as an access panel to the personal assistant device 12 with the proviso that the transparent portion 22 is of a thickness to permit a stylus to operate therethrough.

[0026] In this regard, the receptacle 14 can be provided with a stylus retainer 21 as part of the receptacle 14 to receive and hold the stylus of the personal assistant device 12. The retainer 21 can be a connected pouch like portion to the receptacle or be integrally formed in the receptacle with a slot formed in a side 25 of the receptacle through which the stylus may be inserted and removed.

[0027] The receptacle 14 is provided with an openable flap portion 24 to permit insertion and removal of the personal assistant device 12. A VELCRO™ hook and loop portion 26 is attached to one side of the flap portion 24 and a complementary VELCRO™ hook and loop portion 28 is attached to a back face 30 of the receptacle 14 which together form the means for attaching to one another and in turn the flap portion 26 to the back face 30. The clip 18 is disposed on the face 30 in a manner to perform its function in a manner which does not inhibit the closure of the flap portion 26.

[0028] The FIGS. 5-7 show an alternative design of the carrying case 10′ wherein there is provided a transparent portion 40′ on the flap portion 24′ of the receptacle 14′. Here, the flap portion 24′ opens from a front face 20′ of the receptacle 14′. Additionally, VELCRO ™ hook and loop portions 26′ and 28′ are positioned to form closure of the flap portion 24′ on the front face 20′. Clip 18′ is attached to back face 30′. Thus, this embodiment provides for the front display of the ID badge as well as access to the personal assistant device 12 through transparent portion 22′ in the front face 20′. Retainer 21′ is similarly provided.

[0029] FIGS. 8-10 also show another embodiment without a flap portion. Other like features to those previously described are included. Also, shown here is an end 41″ which includes an opening 42″ for wireless receiving/transmitting of information.

[0030] While a preferred structure for releasably securing the flap portion 24, 24′ to the receptacle 14, 14′ is shown and described herein, those of ordinary skill in the art who have read this description will appreciate that there are other structures for releasably securing the same and, therefore, as used herein the phrase “means for releasably securing the flap portion 24, 24′ to the receptacle 14, 14′” should be construed to include all such structures as long as they achieve the desired result of releasably securing the flap portion 24, 24′ to the receptacle 14, and therefore, that all such alternative mechanisms are to be considered as equivalent to the one described herein. Also, those of ordinary skill in the art who have read this description will appreciate that there are numerous other structures for connecting the neck strap 16, 16′, 16″ to the receptacle 14 and, therefore, as used herein the phrase “means for connecting the neck strap 16 to the receptacle 14” should be construed as including all such structures as long as they achieve the desired result of connecting the neck strap 16 to the receptacle 14, and therefore, that all such alternative mechanisms are to be considered as equivalent to the one described herein.

[0031] The above described embodiments are set forth by way of example and is not for the purpose of limiting the present invention. It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that obvious modifications, derivations and variations can be made to the embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the claims appended hereto should be read in their full scope including any such modifications, derivations and variations. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A carrying case for a personal assistant device comprising: a receptacle having an openable flap portion wherein said receptacle is configured to removably receive the personal assistant device through the openable flap portion, said receptacle includes a transparent portion in a face thereof for removably displaying an ID badge therethrough.
 2. The carrying case of claim 1, wherein said transparent portion also serves as an area through which said personal assistant device is accessed.
 3. The carrying case of claim 1, wherein said personal assistant device is characterized such that said flap portion includes said transparent receptacle portion to receive the ID badge.
 4. The carrying case of claim 1, wherein said personal assistant device is characterized such that a front face of said receptacle includes said transparent receptacle portion to receive the ID badge.
 5. The carrying case of claim 1, which includes means for detachably attaching to said flap portion to said receptacle.
 6. The carrying case of claim 1, which includes a neck strap connected to said receptacle for retaining said receptacle around a neck of a wearer.
 7. The carrying case of claim 1, which includes a clip connected to said receptacle to permit attachment to a wearer's clothing.
 8. The carrying case of claim 2, wherein said personal assistant device is characterized such that said flap portion includes said transparent receptacle portion to receive the ID badge.
 9. The carrying case of claim 8, wherein said personal assistant device is characterized such that a front face of said receptacle includes said transparent receptacle portion to receive the ID badge.
 10. The carrying case of claim 8, which includes means for detachably attaching to said flap portion to said receptacle.
 11. The carrying case of claim 8, which includes a neck strap connected to said receptacle for retaining said receptacle around a neck of a wearer.
 12. The carrying case of claim 8, which includes a clip connected to said receptacle to permit attachment to a wearer's clothing.
 13. The carrying case of claim 1, which includes means for removably retaining a stylus of the personal assistant device.
 14. The carrying case of claim 1, which includes an open surface to permit wireless transmission therethrough by the personal assistant device. 